Grooming Frequency For Dog Owners
Do you have a new puppy or rescue dog and want to learn some basic grooming? Whatever the case may be, I am a dog groomer with some experience to share, and I hope to help with just the basics here – the all-important when, why, and how – as well as addressing some of the difficulties faced by most people new to the dog grooming world.
Basic Grooming
You can break things up into smaller pieces and do everything over several days. On day one, trim his nails and a brush. The next day, give him a bath and dry. Breaking the grooming process up into several different sessions can be a lifesaver.
Nails
Nail trimming is one part of grooming that every dog needs. Long nails can cause problems walking, arthritis, and the nail can even curve into the pad of the dog’s foot. Imagine how uncomfortable it must be to have something poking your foot ALL the time and how painful each step must be!
In general, you should plan on trimming your dog’s nails once a month. Some dogs will need more- or less-frequent nail trimming.
For example, large dogs that walk on sidewalks or asphalt more than an hour every day often wear down their nails and need little trimming apart from their dew claws (that’s the little claw halfway up the side of the paw). Small dogs tend to go for shorter walks and need nail trimming every couple of weeks.
As you may already know, dogs have a vein in their nails called a quick that will bleed and hurt if you cut it too short. In dogs that don’t get their nails cut frequently enough, the vein can grow very long, so you can only take a little bit off at a time. If that’s the case, you should trim a little bit off your dog’s nails every week to encourage the vein to shrink back into the nail. A grinder is best for this.
If you use dog nail clippers, the easiest way to cut your dog’s nails is to position your dog in a way where you can flip their paw back and look at the underside. Trim a little bit at a time.
In dogs with white nails, you can see the quick inside the nail and know where to cut. For black nails, cut off a little bit at a time. You will see a tiny black dot surrounded by white when you get close to the quick. That’s how you know to stop.
Nail grinders are a great way to get your dog’s nails short and smooth with less risk of cutting the quick. Nail grinders can be loud, so you may need to introduce it to your dog slowly. Use the same process to take off a little bit at a time until you see the dot in the middle of the nail showing that you’ve gone short enough.
You can purchase styptic powder and keep it handy to stop bleeding if you trim a nail too short. In a pinch, you can use flour or cornstarch to stop the bleeding.
Brushing
Every dog needs at least occasional brushing. Yes, even your short-haired dog. Most short-haired dogs shed at least a little bit. Using the right brush can remove loose hair and spread your dog’s natural oils through his coat for a healthy shine.
Every coat type requires different brush types, and you should have a metal comb for most coat types. Ideal brushes for each coat type include:
| Coat Type | Best Brush | Alternate Brush |
|---|---|---|
|
Very Short Hair (Boston Terriers, Great Danes) |
Rubber Curry Brush |
Bristle Brush |
|
Short, Shedding Hair (Labs, Pugs) |
Rubber Curry Brush |
Shedding Tool |
|
Short, Thick, Shedding Hair (Huskies, German Shepherds) |
Undercoat Rake/ Slicker Brush |
Shedding Tool |
|
Medium Hair (Golden Retrievers, Border Collies) |
Slicker Brush |
Undercoat Rake |
|
Straight Hair (Maltese, Yorkie) |
Pin Brush |
Dematting Tool |
|
Curly Hair (Poodle, Bichon) |
Metal Comb |
Dematting Tool |
Bath
Some people never wash their dogs, and some people wash them every week. Ideally, you should aim for something in the middle.
Even short-haired dogs benefit from a bath a few times a year to remove dirt, grime, and excess grease from their coats. Most dogs should be bathed at least every 1-3 months.
Generally, you should try not to bathe your dog more than once a month. If you do, be sure to use a very gentle shampoo made specifically for dogs. Hypoallergenic or oatmeal shampoos are great choices. Overwashing can dry out your dog’s skin and coat, so using a conditioner in addition to a gentle shampoo is a good choice.
No matter how often you bathe your dog, you should always use a shampoo made specifically for dogs. Humans have a different pH than dogs, so human shampoo (even baby shampoo) is too harsh for dog skin.
If you have anything other than a short-haired dog, you should be sure to brush and detangle your dog before the bath. Water makes mats and tangles worse, even if you use conditioner. There are a few exceptions if you have the right tools and knowledge, but trust me when I say you should leave that to the professionals. Brush, trim or shave mats out before washing your dog.
Remember to gather everything you need before you start the bath. That includes cotton balls in your dog’s ear canals to prevent water from getting in, which can lead to an ear infection.
Dogs don’t like the slippery feeling of a sink or bathtub under their feet, so use a bath mat or a towel to give them some traction.
Use lukewarm water. Dogs don’t enjoy hot baths the way people do. Invest in a flexible sprayer attachment if you can – I can tell you from experience that trying to rinse a dog with only a cup is a pain!
When you get your dog wet, start at their back end and work your way forward toward their head. Would you like it if somebody sprayed your face without warning?
As you soap them up, do the same thing and start at their back end and work your way to their face. CAUTION: Many shampoos can damage your dog’s eyes! Be careful to avoid getting shampoo in their eyes, even as you rinse it out. It’s also a good idea to put a bit of saline solution in your dog’s eyes after the bath to rinse out any shampoo that may have gotten in their eyes.
Personally, I use a separate shampoo for my dog’s face than I do for the rest of his body. Something that is super gentle on the face and helps loosen stubborn eye gunk and goop.
Rinse, rinse, and rinse again. When you think you have all the shampoo out, rinse for an additional couple of minutes. It’s too easy to accidentally leave a little shampoo in your dog’s coat, which can cause, at best, unattractive dander flakes, and at worst, skin irritation or infections. Not good.
If you use a hair dryer on your dog, make sure to use a cool setting. Dogs can overheat very easily. Heated dryers also dry out the skin.
Ears, Eyes, And Paws
You should clean out your dog’s ears at least once a month. You can use an ear cleaner made for dogs or witch hazel on a cotton ball. It’s natural to see a little bit of dirt on the cotton ball after swiping the inside of your dog’s ear, but if the cotton ball comes out gunky or stinky, your dog likely has an ear infection and needs a trip to the vet.
Dogs in general and flat-faced breeds, in particular, are prone to eye problems. At least once a week, you should take the time to look at your dog’s eyes. They should be bright and clear with no cloudiness and minimal redness. Tears should be clear. If your dog has colored discharge coming from their eyes (different from the reddish-brown goop that can accumulate from normal tears), they need to go to the vet to check for an infection, injury, or allergies.
Most dogs grow hair between the pads on the bottoms of their feet. When this hair gets long, it can collect pesticides, sidewalk salt, and debris. With dogs that have continuously-growing hair, the hair can become matted and cause painful lumps. Many groomers will do 'interim' grooms - meaning they will shave the pads of excess hair, trim around the eyes and sanitary area and trim their nails.
I find all the above tips makes it a better experience for the long coated dogs that go to the pooch parlour for their full groom.
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Thank you.
The Fairy Dogmother (based in Chichester West Sussex, England)
Learn more about The Fairy Dogmother at fairydogmotherchichester.com
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Links to products
Boao Stainless Steel Pet Comb - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B086PXDQLX/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_fabc_p855FbMQMKX9Q?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Safari Dog De-Matting Comb - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0002ARR2W/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_fabc_W755Fb79D2VQC
Firm Slicker Brush - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005MYBRM4/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_fabc_R655FbJ8ZA010
Dematting Comb Grooming Tool Kit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B089DF3LVP/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_fabc_P555FbXFBZTZG
Double Sided Brush - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002SKSC64/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_fabc_O455Fb9SPBKHJ
Deshedding Tool & Pet Grooming Brush - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ZHUDNS4/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_fabc_L355Fb8RQBR2N?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Rubber Curry Comb - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002ILPDX8/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_fabc_T255Fb8TNGM03
